rina

ina H

on, my head flew upward, and I rubbed my eyes, cringing as the sharp imprint of my watch pressed against my face. Looking fie

nd raced my heart as I watched my mother stu

ned even though I tri

iredly. She blamed me for her miserable life and

filled syringe in the air, Not now, Katarina

I said The words seemed pointless;

it nagging," she murmu

ck, panic squeezing my chest. Madame was going to murder me. Hurrying towards the door, I snatched my j

m going out," I ex

mber. I locked the door behind me and I rushed down the hall. I fumbled with my phone, dialing Selena's

u?" Selena's voice hissed throug

ng again," I panted, anxiety twisting my

the restroom, but hurry your ass up. I can't s

ously," I exclaimed, r

ht," she joked softly, h

onight sleeping at your house? Mom

university admission nursing tests regardless". Selena's voi

s, Sel. I'll

haved like this, lost in her drug-induced haze, I hated staying here. At least with Selena, I would have

ing out if I had enough money. I knew my mistake halfway through the journey. Know

nnoyed stare, I murmured, "This

it street. I had little option, but the walk would add another ten minutes. Tightening my

could see some bullet holes at the side of the c

gado?" asked a ha

man leaned forward, tattoos covering his neck and crawlin

undered. Who are you? "

side with fake gold on his brown teeth, sta

s, and responded, "Damn, l

ar drove off before I could reply,thier laughter filling the evening. My uneasines

, spotting Selena at the counter. She quickly shoved a

e. Madame is watching," she whispere

ooks I read in my private time to escape the harshness of my reality, opening it casually as though I'd been there all along. I loved how the sexual fantasies unfolded in my hea

retended to read while my mind

arrowing her eyes suspiciously.

ly, keeping my voice steady

"Yeah, she just stepped away. We we

before sighing heavily and retreating back into

ed, nudging me gently. "You'r

eful smile. "I kn

welcome. Now get reading and pretend

to the tattooed stranger from before. Another shudder ran down my

s, I leaned against Selena and

****************************

dano

Giordano

this city. The steady sound of my cigarette burning broke the still calm of the room, the smoke curlin

sy counting the dirty, crumpled bills they had collected from tips by

do what they were told. I stared at the ass of one of them bent, I

exhaled. The door opened fully, and I heard the click of boots on the concr

came into my office u

oice cutting through their argument. "I hav

irl on my desk without saying a word. She couldn't be more than 19

Delgado. Her father's description of her was exactly what

oke, his voice calm and ass

it before tossing it back onto the desk. I never asked questions,

. Her father's not lying. She's everything he said beautiful, sex

I needed to h

back in my chair. I never hesitated. "In this

father's pathetic, though. He'

tarina, how she would fit perfectly into my world, my fingers

he's worth, pay him. And bring her to me. I want her here, in my hands. Not to

re Mikey the Hammer spoke up, "We'll take care of i

clear to him nobody bargains with Giordano. His daughter will be mine." I paused, my voice dropping to an almost